Ford 8.8 Strength

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OldRustyKnife

New member
...Hey Guys....My question is how reliable can a Ford 8.8 in a fox body be made. I have gotten a few different opinions (some say it can be made real close to bullet proof, others say dont waste the money and go to a 9"er). Will be used in a car approx 900-1000hp on spray
 
For 1000hp the 8.8 will work all day long. 33 spline axles and a spool is all you will need. A cover/girdle would be nice also.
 
...Ive heard so many different opinions and figured Id get the best advice from those who are actually using this set-up....Im new to this Forum, as well as drag racing, so I need as much good info as I can get...Thank-You
 
Fryguy302 said:
For 1000hp the 8.8 will work all day long. 33 spline axles and a spool is all you will need. A cover/girdle would be nice also.
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Wouldn't hurt to have the tubes welded and some supports welded between the pig ears and axle tubes.

--Joe
 
soap said:
Wouldn't hurt to have the tubes welded and some supports welded between the pig ears and axle tubes.

--Joe
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X2 just some of the basic support work and your good to go. The gear has to be set up right (backlash) or that will be your weak link. Think they need to be set up a bit tighter to make them live
 
OldRustyKnife said:
...Hey Guys....My question is how reliable can a Ford 8.8 in a fox body be made. I have gotten a few different opinions (some say it can be made real close to bullet proof, others say dont waste the money and go to a 9"er). Will be used in a car approx 900-1000hp on spray
Click to expand...

Depends if you are starting from scratch....if you have 1000 now you will probably have 1250 then 1500..., build a nice nine and be done forever.

8.8 = bullet proof? Not hardly.

That said, I have a MW 8.8 with all the tricks.
 
NOVICOUPE said:
8.8 CAn be made to take a butt load of HP. Plus lighter than a 9in. Plenty of them out there fs already built up.
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x2. There are multiple cars that I know of going mid 7s or quicker with the 8.8 still. Pretty much what I'd call bullet proof. In the mid 7s though, I would step up to a 9" the first time the 8.8 fails.
 
The down side of the 8.8 is the lack of pro gears, the housing can be made to hold allot of power the R&P are the week link! Tuten had an 8.8 in his car when it went 7.02 @202, but he has a 9 inch in now, he couldn't 60' hard with the 8.8 or it would break or spin axle tubes, finaly the gear broke doing major damage to the car and sending the drive shaft through the floor and almost sticking him, Chris has a 9'' in it now and his slowest 60 foot has been a 1.17. if you have a heavy hard hooking car think 9 inch!
 
Sorry to dig up this thread, but just a few questions about the 8.8. Fastest I plan on going ever is mid 10's, 500 hp and I already have the case/clutches that are used on the 2013 GT500 and 31 spline axles running a M/T street tire....

-Is a girdle cover really needed or just a stocker?
-Weld the tubes up or not?
-C-Clip eliminators really needed for that power?

Thanks guys.
 
89-LX said:
Sorry to dig up this thread, but just a few questions about the 8.8. Fastest I plan on going ever is mid 10's, 500 hp and I already have the case/clutches that are used on the 2013 GT500 and 31 spline axles running a M/T street tire....

-Is a girdle cover really needed or just a stocker? It's cheap insurance to take some stress off the caps......so why not.
-Weld the tubes up or not? Yes
-C-Clip eliminators really needed for that power? IMO, they they are not needed, but if you plan to race they are required.

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

:)

--Joe
 
I debate WHY c-clip eliminators are needed. If you have a disc brake setup, I'd argue that's as effective as any eliminator, and stock bearings are more streetable. I'd be nice in NHRA made some sort of distiction for production disc brake cars..

As for girdle covers, there are low 11/ hi 10 second Impala SS's (4000+#) cars running without them reliably with 1.5-1.6 60'... If a 8.5 10-bolt is holding up, I'd think a 8.8 with bigger caps would be fine..

Is a full perimeter tube weld required, or will a few 2-3" stitches do it.. thinking about warpage..
 
Fryguy302 said:
For 1000hp the 8.8 will work all day long. 33 spline axles and a spool is all you will need. A cover/girdle would be nice also.
Click to expand...

agreed... that is my combo with the tubes welded by team z. 408 with spray 1000 hp. i killed a auburn pro and just put in a a spool. should of done that in the first place.
 
Went low 10's on an 8.8 with 31 spline for years. I put C clip elims for sense piece of mind, but not necisarry. My c clips elims were never a pain in the ass, never leaked, but you do have to be more aware when taking a corner. You can't just Mario Andrette it! I had no welded tubes, not braces, no girdle cover and a FMS gear i set up in the garage myself. Mid to low 10's is nothing for a decently prepped 8.8. But like stated, look into the future. If you know you're going to be goin faster in the future, and are spending money, do it once, and do it right.
 
I have a '97 GT and want to find what rear ends are a bolt in replacement. Is it only the 94-98 models that will work or can I use a newer rear end? I'm looking to use the whole rear end, axles, etc.
 
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